The commonest call is a clear, high and descending "swiit-swiit-swiit" given as the bird takes off and flies along the shore — the call is often heard before you catch sight of the bird. The song is a rhythmic, trilling series of the same basic notes, repeated faster and in a pattern resembling "swee-swee-swee-witi-witi". The song is best heard during the morning hours in May–June from a stone or a low branch at the water's edge.